To qualify for this position you must have one of the following:
EXPERIENCE: Possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower graded level, GS-4, in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has provided you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of a GS-5 Biological Science Laboratory Technician. Qualifying Experience must have been related to the work of the position for which application is made. The specialized experience required for some positions in this series is normally work performed in a controlled environment. Examples of qualifying specialized experience includes Research activity or control program work; Nursery work that required the growing and maintenance of plants in a controlled environment; Work comparable to that with a large dairy farm where production records, animal environment, and sanitary conditions were kept in accordance with modern dairy practice. NOTE: Farming experience that was not performed in a controlled environment, or experience as a laborer who was not responsible for planning and scheduling his/her own work, but only performed assigned tasks, would not qualify as specialized experience. In addition to the experience above, you must also possess the following specialized experience: Interprets the results of standard tests repetitively performed based on previous experience and observations, maintains a daily census of animals and protocols, a assists in monitoring the safety and security of the animal care facility, coordinate with researchers to assist in any special needs of the animals in their protocols, performs test sampling of equipment output on a regular basis, administers special diets and maintains feeding records for specified colonies of animals, receives and houses new animals, Perform complex animal husbandry duties
. (THIS EXPERIENCE MUST BE SUPPORTED BY YOUR RESUME TO BE CREDITABLE.)
OR
EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: Successfully completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school.
(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.
OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Possess the equivalent combinations of education and specialized experience (as described above) to meet the requirements at the GS-5 level. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to 1 year of specialized experience.
(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:
- Animal Husbandry
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service (Clerical/Technical)
- Flexibility
- Infection Control
IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as regular walking, bending, lifting (up to 50 lbs.), climbing ladders/step stools, and repetitive motion work. In many situations the duration of the activity such as most of a work day contributes to the arduous nature of the job. Agility and dexterity-hand and eye coordination, is required for proper job execution.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.